Refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigerator designs face challenges in efficiently supplying cool air to multiple compartments, particularly the ice making compartment, due to complex channel structures and the need for multiple fans, which increases the vertical height, complicates maintenance, and results in inadequate air supply to distant compartments.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator design featuring a single grille panel assembly with a freezing fan module and an ice making module positioned between the grille panel and a shroud, including a partition rib to guide cool air from the ice making compartment to the freezing compartment, ensuring sufficient air supply and preventing backflow, while using standardized fans to simplify installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple fans are used to supply cool air to multiple storage compartments, then cool air supply to each compartment is improved, but device complexity and vertical height increase
Solution Approach 1:
The grille panel assembly is segmented into multiple independent fan modules, each equipped with its own fan and air guide channels. This allows each compartment to receive dedicated cool air supply while maintaining a modular structure that avoids excessive vertical height increase. The segmentation enables independent control and maintenance of each fan module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single vertical stack configuration to a distributed horizontal arrangement of fan modules across the grille panel. This dimensional change allows multiple fans to be accommodated without proportionally increasing vertical height, as the modules are spread across the horizontal plane of the grille panel assembly.
2Reliability
If the vertical height of the grille panel assembly is increased to accommodate multiple fans, then cool air supply to multiple compartments is improved, but storage space of each compartment is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The fan modules are arranged horizontally across the grille panel assembly rather than stacking them vertically. This dimensional redistribution allows the grille panel to maintain a compact vertical profile, preserving storage space in the compartments below while still accommodating multiple fans through extended horizontal coverage of the grille panel.
3Device complexity
If a single grille panel assembly supplies cool air to multiple storage compartments, then device complexity is reduced, but cool air supply to distant compartments becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single grille panel assembly is divided into multiple independent fan modules, each responsible for supplying cool air to specific compartments. This segmentation ensures that each compartment, including distant ones, receives adequate cool air from its dedicated fan module, while the overall assembly remains relatively simple compared to having completely separate assemblies for each compartment.
4Reliability
If multiple fans are added to the structure, then cool air supply capacity is improved, but assembly convenience deteriorates and front-rear width increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fan modules are designed with standardized, identical structures that can be universally assembled across the grille panel. Each module uses the same mounting brackets, air guide channels, and fastening mechanisms, which simplifies the assembly process despite having multiple fans. The modular universality allows workers to repeat the same assembly steps for each module, improving assembly convenience.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design ensures efficient cool air distribution to both the freezing and ice making compartments, reduces the complexity of the air supply system, and enhances ice production by continuously spraying cool air to the ice maker, improving overall refrigeration efficiency and compartment temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator disposed in the freezing compartment and configured to cool air
Implementation Method 2
a freezing fan module that is disposed between the first seat and the shroud, that is coupled to the first fastening protrusion, and that is configured to supply cool air to the first cool air guide channel
Implementation Method 3
an ice making fan module that is disposed between the second seat and the shroud, that is coupled to the second fastening protrusion, and that is configured to supply cool air to the second cool air guide channel
Implementation Method 4
including a partition rib to guide cool air from the ice making compartment to the freezing compartment, ensuring sufficient air supply and preventing backflow
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a freezing compartment below a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment at a side of the refrigerating compartment, an evaporator, a shroud that is disposed at a front side of the evaporator, a grille panel coupled to a front surface of the shroud, a first cool air guide channel defined between the grille panel and the shroud and configured to guide cool air to a freezing compartment, a second cool air guide channel defined between the grille panel and the shroud and configured guide cool air to the ice making compartment, a freezing fan module disposed between the grille panel and the shroud and configured to supply cool air to the first cool air guide channel, and an ice making fan module disposed between the grille panel and the shroud and configured to supply cool air to the second cool air guide channel.